By now, you’ve seen the impossible-to-swipe-past photos start to pop up on your news feed. Get used to them; they will show no signs of stopping until Yayoi Kusama’s hot ticket Infinity Mirrors exhibit wraps up its stay at the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) on May 27.
It’s now Toronto’s turn to host one of the world’s most Instagrammed art affairs after sold-out stints in Washington, D.C., Seattle and Los Angeles in the past year. Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirrors has made the AGO one of the most coveted spots in the city with its eye-catching – and completely social media-worthy – mirror-lined kaleidoscopic rooms and installations.
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The exhibit represents innovative explorations of time and space, and reflects the evolution of Kusama’s 65-year career, showing her uplifting, immersive, multi-reflective installations. It features six different kaleidoscopic environments, in addition to the famed Japanese artist’s intimate drawings, early paintings, and sculptural objects.
Here’s everything you need to know about the much buzzed-about exhibit before it officially opens to the public on March 3:
Yes, it’s worth it
After spending a few hours lost in the limitlessness visuals of Infinity Mirrors, the decided consensus is that it’s completely worth the hype (and is just as great as it looks on social media). It invites users to experience art in new ways – albeit through a cell phone screen – as the vibrant dots and lights coupled with the mirrors make for an all-consuming, never-ending (and slightly trippy) experience you won’t forget.
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You can (possibly) still score tickets
Not surprisingly, the AGO was overwhelmed with interest in the exhibit, with member pre-sales for the exhibit drawing a record interest. The first day of the pre-event sales, some gallery members complained of wait times of up to eight hours (!). The good (very good) news is that the AGO has just released a new block of tickets to the public, which will go on sale on March 6 at 10 am for $30 each and a maximum of two per customer.
Bring your patience
In addition to your phone, another must-bring to Infinity Mirrors is definitely your patience – you’re going to need it. Not only will a fellow photo-snapping gallery-goer inevitably get in the way of your shot (always frustrating), you will have to wait in line for up to 30 minutes for the rooms. Once in the room, you’re strictly allowed 20-30 seconds only (no joke).
Prep your phone
If there is ever a time to leave the house with a fully charged phone, it’s before a visit to Infinity Mirrors. Though there are handy (and super quick) charging stations on one floor, the last thing you want is for your phone to die once you finally make it inside the room for your extremely brief time slot. The same goes for ensuring you have ample storage to house the dozens of pictures you’ll snap.
Set aside two hours
While you may only spend three minutes in total when it comes to the rooms, you can expect the exhibit to take about two hours to complete, from entry, through to a fun and interactive all-white room at the end, where guests are invited to decorate the space with an assortment of colourful dot stickers. Of course, most of that time will be spent in line.
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You can still see Kusama if you can’t score Infinity Mirrors Tickets
If you aren’t one of the lucky ones to score a set of tickets to Infinity Mirrors, the second best thing – and something that should actually be enjoyed by Infinity Mirrors-goers as well – is Kusama’s 1966 Narcissus Garden, which is found on the second-floor viewing gallery. The famous installation is almost as Instagram-worthy as Infinity Mirrors is, featuring hundreds of mirror-polished steel spheres.
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